KristenVSG2014

33!!!! ????

Does your insurance cover both? Mine only covered the insertion for the IUD, not the IUD itself. It cost $900 out of pocket. I wouldn't have picked it if I planned on getting pregnant in a year because of the cost and it also took my body 6 months before it finally accepted the IUD.

It depends. Everyone is different. It also can depend on how much you start with. I started with very large ones...like 46 DDD. Now I'm 36 DDD. That doesn't mean I didn't lose any in my actual breasts. I lost a ton. But as your strap size goes down so does the cup size. I'm thrilled with the current size. I'm NOT thrilled with how saggy they are. I'll put it this way. I have a newfound ribcage and you can't see it if I'm not hiking the girls up. They cover the top of my ribs. However, they are not the worst boobs I've ever seen. I can live with them. But I will most definitely consider a lift in a few years.

I'm almost 8 months out and 29 years old as well. Mine has decreased some and I'm most definitely in need of lube but I think this is a shift in hormones because I've also been ovulating twice as often WITH Mirena IUD in place. I'm going to see my Gyno soon so I'll ask her then.

Cramps can be caused by a variety of reasons. Some of the most common are magnesium or potassium deficiency, overuse from exercise or dehydration. I started getting really bad leg cramps after surgery and my doctor said it was because I had eaten too little carb for over three months. So he told me to add some fruit, especially those high in potassium, back in my diet and take a magnesium pill daily. That's what MY doctor told me. Make sure you consult your doctor because if you have any existing conditions that require you to limit potassium the last thing you want to do is take the advice of someone online who isn't a doctor or familiar with your medical history. However, make sure you are drinking lots of Water. At least 60 oz a day but shoot for more if you can. Also, stretches help a lot. You should be able to search YouTube for some.

115 pounds difference. My glasses and nose look so much bigger ????

I think having surgery to save your marriage is like having a baby to save your marriage. It just complicates things. If you are having any issues in your marriage before surgery they will be amplified after surgery. You should only do this for one person - yourself. This is a permanent, irreversible procedure you will have to commit to and live with the rest of your life. If you want to save your marriage go to counseling. Heck, go to counseling whether you have surgery or not. Even if he doesn't go with you. It's very helpful!!

He has said a lot of crap like that. He has his own forum on Facebook. The final straw for me was when a girl said....why am I still stalled. His reply was "don't worry, you will break the stall just like you broke my table from you high bmi...which I am still paying for and the hospital reminds me of everyday. " In a public post, in a public forum, for all to see. Nothing he has said to anyone so far has been helpful. So I just went off on my own. Oh heck no. What a jerk!! I can't believe you can eat a cup in one sitting. I'm almost 8 months and can only eat about 1/2 cup of food (unless it's CheezeIts...then I can eat half a box). It makes me wonder if he did your surgery right. Normally people don't work up to a cup until they are one or two years post op. I didn't have ANY post op care because I had my surgery in Mexico but I did extensive research beforehand, and I still do, to make sure I'm using my new tool to the fullest. Maybe go back to basics and focus solely on Protein and veggies. Cut any and all sugar out. Watch your carbs. Green veggies are great, eat as much as you want.

You look freaking gorgeous! Aw, thanks! I've changed even more since that "after" pic. Gosh, it's hard to think what I'll end up looking like. I'll post an updated picture soon ????

You look fantastic! Haters gonna hate. People will say stupid, insensitive comments. Just ignore them and move on.

I have Mirena but I already had it in place before I had my sleeve. There is an adjustment period that took my body about six months of whacky pain and random periods until they finally stopped altogether. My doctor suggested it since I have PCOS and suspected endometriosis. I really love my IUD. The first six months were horrible but once my body got used to it it's been great. When I got sleeved I started to have periods again but they are the lightest of light. Sometimes I don't even have any blood.

I'm almost 8 months post op and I finally had a little breakdown yesterday because I realized I can and will meet my goal weight. I thought, "Once I get under 200 I will be happy." While I did a little happy dance, I wasn't truly happy or convinced. I thought, "When I get to 180 I'll be happy." Then I got to 180 and it was very anti-climactic. I mentioned to my mom my size 14's were starting to get baggy so she went through her closet and laid out a pile of 10/12's. I tried them on yesterday and they all fit. And I don't mean barely zipping up with muffin top. They looked great. My butt looked great. I finally got tears in my eyes and realized how far I had truly come. I'm only 18 pounds from my ultimate goal weight and if I decide to get a tummy tuck I could very well end up a 4/6. That blows my mind. If you truly go into this understanding your success depends on the right mentality and use this surgery as a tool to help you reach your goals you WILL lose the weight. You will be successful. But you have to completely change the way you think about food. You don't live to eat, you eat to live. I still struggle, and probably always will, with some trigger foods. Cake is one. Ice cream is another. They are a slippery slope for me and it's best (for me) to stay away from them. If you need any help, advice or a listening ear along the way I'd be glad to help!

Today was a very difficult day. At 9:00 am I get an email at work that there is Orange Creamsicle Cake in the fridge. No big deal. I had my frittata. I'll avoid going in the kitchen. By lunch it will be gone. Work is super busy, non-stop and I can't take a lunch at my normal time of 11:00. I'm getting hungry. At 1:00 a woman who is known in town for being one of the best cooks and bakers donates TWO more cakes to our bank - a homemade Apple Cake and Coconut Pound Cake. ???? I had to run upstairs, grab my lunchbox and run out as fast as possible. Everyone was in the kitchen digging in and saying how yummy it was. ???? I took my lunch to my parent's house. It was delicious leftover chicken with pineapple salsa. After I was done eating I went to try on some clothes my mom left for me. They all fit. Comfortably. It was a mixture of size 10/12. I had a little breakdown in my old bedroom. The feeling I got from zipping those pants up was so much better than the feeling I get when I eat cake. That feeling only lasts as long as the cake. Then when it's gone I feel terrible for hours, sometimes days. The high I got from my accomplishment lasted the rest of the day.

I agree. This was the worst.

I have BCBS through my employer but they excluded WLS specifically so I went to Mexico. $4,500. I financed it for 3 years. $140 a month. Best decision ever. By the way, I feel your pain. My husband has the platinum plan with BCBS and its $380 a month. Geez. I could be driving a new car for that!!

Yes, it could most definitely go away once you start eating solids and feel your true restriction kick in. If you eat and within an hour or two feel like you have gnawing hunger then it's most likely acid. You only need a prescription if you're actually having symptoms though. I had really bad heartburn for about two months. My doctor had me on Omeprazole but once I cut nitrates (processed meats) out of my diet it stopped. I still cannot eat any processed meats without ill effects.

It could also be acid. Are you on any medication for acid? It mimics gnawing hunger pangs. I experienced it for a few months. It resolved on its own around 4 months.

You've had major surgery, drastically cut your calories and your hormones are out of whack because of all of this. I started to see an improvement around three months but I still have bouts of it. I'm working on getting outside more to appreciate nature and eating less processed food. If it gets too severe make sure you tell a doctor.

Yes, Whole30 is a strict paleo diet. 100% clean eating with no processed foods, sugar, sugar substitutes, dairy, grains, legumes, or alcohol. So approved foods are meat, vegetables, some fruits and fats. One thing I've done consistently is start and end my day with a 20 oz cup of hot tea. I did this from day 1 of my pre-op diet and continue up to today. It automatically gets me 40 oz of Water each day so it makes getting at least another 20 during the course of the day really easy. Another thing I try to do consistently is choose Protein first every time. I would say I do this 90% of the time. But life gets in the way and I've gone off track a few times. When I do this I try not to beat myself up. I'm not on a "diet". I made the decision to eat that ________ (fill in the blank). Then I make sure the next decision is a better one. Before Whole30 I always had certain items on hand that would keep me on track - cottage cheese singles, cheese sticks, boiled eggs, beef Jerky, Protein Bars, etc. I know my biggest trigger is being stressed and unprepared at work. If I forgot to make boiled eggs for a quick Breakfast I would grab a cottage cheese. If I get lightheaded at work because I haven't eaten enough I always have a Protein Bar in my desk. So knowing my triggers and being prepared for them has been very helpful. Now on Whole30 it's a little more difficult to have approved Snacks on hand. I make a giant frittata on Sunday and cut it into a portion I can grab and take to work to heat up. Snack is usually blueberries or a banana. Today I had some nuts. lunch is leftovers from the day before and dinner is whatever scrumptious recipe my hubby decided to try. I miss cheese. A lot. And Splenda...but I've got to work through these addictions. I made it through the first week easily but I have a feeling the next week is going to be the hardest. While my husband and I enjoy cooking, it's a lot of work. Lots of prep and cleaning. But the food tastes better than any takeout our town offers. But I still miss the convenience of picking up some grilled chicken or a rotisserie some days. Thank goodness for my crockpot!!!

I think fear of failure was one of biggest concerns as well. I've been overweight my entire life despite many diets, exercise and even weight loss pills. Now I'm 20 pounds from my goal weight and I have thoughts creep in like, "You made it this far but you'll never make it to 160." or "If you get to 160 you won't be able to maintain." It's negative thoughts like these that I constantly have to fight. It's from a life of never being good enough because no matter how hard I tried I was always overweight. I will tell you right now your success depends just as much on your mentality than your surgery. You seem to have the right mentality that you know the surgery won't do all the work and that failure is a possibility. I think knowing that in the back of your mind will help you follow your surgeon's rules and keep you mindful of your food choices. You seem determined to do whatever it takes to succeed and that's what will help you become healthy :-)

Oh WOW!! You are an inspiration. You look fantastic.

These are my legs!! ????

No one really noticed my weight loss until I had lost 50 pounds. The reason is because I lose from everywhere. Now, over 7 months post op, my stomach is still my problem area but I have managed to lose 80 pounds and 10 inches from my waist. However, I haven't lost any from my waist in the last two months. Right now it's coming from my legs. Crazy body! Make sure you are taking measurements and full body pictures. I love to compare my body shots month to month. From May 1 to June 1 I developed a thigh gap. I may not have noticed fully clothed.

It's going very well so far. I actually feel better than I have in a long time. While I miss a lot of foods, especially yogurt and cheese sticks, my congestion and some skin issues have cleared up in only a few days. I have more energy. I LOVE the taste of the foods my husband and I have made. I've realized I still have an attachment/addiction to some foods (chocolate, ice cream, Splenda) that needs to be broken. Like breaking any addiction it's not easy, but I know it will be worth it! Here is a look at some of the meals we ate this week: